The Story of Sheila Riddle (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 2

Sheila put her bags underneath her bed and returned to the common room. When she saw that Tom was the only other person there, she changed her mind and made to leave.

"Wait," Tom said. 

Sheila turned back reluctantly and sat on the chair opposite him. They were both silent for a moment.

"Who are you?" Tom challenged.

"I was thinking of asking you the same thing," Sheila said coolly, "Why do you have my name?"

Tom didn't say anything.

"You don't think...you don't think we could be related or anything, do you?" Sheila asked quickly.

At the thought of it, she felt a swell of emotions. She was feeling kind of hopeful; if Tom was related to her, she wouldn't have to feel so alone anymore. But at the same time, she was feeling doubt. What were the chances? And besides, from what she knew of Tom, he didn't seem an ideal relative. 

"I was born on the 31st of December, 1926," Tom said quietly.

Sheila's heart started pounding again.

"W-when exactly?" she stammered.

"11:26 PM."

"No, no, no, no," Sheila said, jumping up from her seat, "That can't be. Who were your parents?"

Sheila had to listen a little harder to hear his answer of "Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle. I share my father's name. My mother is dead, though. Died an hour after giving birth to me at Wool's orphanage in London."

The blood had drained completely from Sheila's face. Tom looked confused by her reaction.

"What?" he demanded.

Sheila took a deep breath to steady herself before replying, "I was born on the 31st of December, 1926 at 11:33 PM. My parents were Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle senior. I was born in an orphanage and my mother died after giving birth to me. I was moved to another orphanage shortly after I was born. We're both orphans. And we were born in the exact same hour, on the exact same day of the exact same month of the exact same year to the exact...same...parents."

Tom was looking at her with narrowed eyes.

He began in a strained whisper, "We're..."

"...twins," Sheila finished, unsure of how to react.

"But...why were we split up?"

"The usual reasons, I suppose," Sheila said, "It's much harder for two to be adopted than one. Or maybe they just didn't have room in the orphanage for two at the time."

Tom shook his head, "I don't believe it."

Sheila gave a little laugh and he looked up at her quickly.

"I-I always kind of wanted a big brother," she said, smiling shyly.

As she said the words, the full weight of them impacted her. She had an older twin brother. She wasn't alone! 

Tears of joy rushed to her eyes, spilling over her cheeks. For all the years she had lived in an orphanage, she had felt an overwhelming desperation, a powerful longing for someone she could call family, someone connected to her by the unbreakable blood bond. For years, the other orphans had pointed fingers and whispered things. Not one of them had ever acted friendly toward her. And now, right in front of her, sat the family she had only dreamed she could ever have. She clung to the thought, feeling it was the only thing she could ever hope for. And she wouldn't let go...

"What?" Tom said, looking surprised.

"I'm sorry. I just...I'm just so happy," she sobbed, "I-I..."

She sat back down, trying to get a grip on herself. 

A prefect poked his head in and shouted at them, "Hey! There's a curfew, you know! Up to bed with you!"

Tom got up and left the room quickly, seemingly eager to escape. Sheila stayed where she was.

She had a brother. A brother... It was just too much.

"I promise," she whispered to herself, "I promise to be a good sister. I promise to always be there for him. I promise I'll never leave his side. I promise..."